The stubborn young master

page views:1 Publication date:2023-04-11

It was a square jade pendant. The carving depicted a pair of mandarin ducks. A round clasp was strung with a red cord, forming a delicate double-flowered knot. Yun Zhuque excitedly clutched the pendant. "How could this be…?" "Didn't she give this jade pendant to Brother Li?

Why is it here?"

She stared at the jade pendant in her hand, then looked at the painting on the table, which was pressed down by it.

The painting depicted a little girl, dressed in purple, smiling brightly, playfully sitting on the window frame. Her eyes curved with her smile. Flowers fell behind her, as beautiful as the goddess of spring. Her hand trembled as she touched the painting. She recognized the person in the painting. It was her… her former self.

But how could this be? How could there be a portrait of her here? And… why is the jade pendant here too? Why suddenly… She heard footsteps stop at the door. She looked up at the person who entered.

"Why?" Yun Zhuque glared at Feng Rilan, raising the jade pendant high. "Why is this jade pendant here with you? And this portrait. Who are you?" Feng Rilan stared intently at Yun Zhuque. He couldn't find the jade pendant. He was wondering if he'd left it in the study and forgotten to take it.

But when he went to the study, he saw her… In that instant, he knew he couldn't hide it anymore.

She'd finally found out!

Feng Rilan smiled bitterly, his voice a little hoarse. "Do you really think there are people in this world who look exactly alike?" You have two twin sisters. Then tell me, what is the relationship between me and Fang Litang? "You…" Yun Zhuque stared at him blankly, shaking her head. She couldn't believe it.

"But how could it be… your surnames…"

"My uncle's surname is Fang. Litang is my twin brother. My aunt couldn't conceive, and my uncle didn't want to remarry. So when my mother gave birth to me and Litang, she gave Litang to my uncle as his son." "Then Litang…" "He knows." Feng Rilan answered her question. "Litang and I have known of each other's existence since childhood. Even though we don't see each other often, we always exchange letters. The person he mentions most often in his letters is you." "Then the jade pendant and the portrait…" She looked at the portrait. She knew this wasn't painted by Li Tang. The brushstrokes were different.

The style was different too.

"I painted it," Feng Rilan answered her, his dark eyes fixed on her, his heart clenching, waiting for her reaction.

Yun Zhuque was shocked, looking at him in disbelief. "You painted it...then..." She shook her head, her eyes filled with horror. "It was you...that day. The person in the study was you?" "Yes. It was me." Feng Rilan nodded in acknowledgment. "That day I went to find Li Tang. You just happened to come in and mistook me for him." "No..." Yun Zhuque shook her head. "Why didn't you say anything? Why did you impersonate him?" Her eyes were fixed on him.

"Why?" Feng Rilan smiled, his dark eyes meeting hers. "Why do you think it is?" Did she really not know?

"I..." Yun Zhuque's heart clenched, avoiding his gaze. Looking at the jade pendant, she bit her lip

and asked again, "Has Li Tang seen this jade pendant?"

"No. I didn't tell him about what happened in the study."

Hearing his words... Yun Zhuque took a few steps back.

"Zhuque." Feng Rilan stepped forward to support her.

"Don't touch me!" Yun Zhuque pushed his hand away forcefully. She glared at him in shock and anger. Her voice seemed to come from deep within her throat. "Do you know that day? After I left the Fang family and returned home, I went out again not long after?" Feng Rilan was stunned. Yun Zhuque glared at him fiercely. Her eyes reddened with pain.

"Do you know what I saw when I went back? A fluttering white banner. I didn't even see his body. I thought that time in the study was the last time I saw him. But it wasn't..." She took a deep breath. Her face was pale. "That person was you. And you didn't say anything to him. You didn't even tell him that I agreed to his marriage proposal. Didn't he just wait for my answer all this time?" "I..." Feng Rilan was stunned. He didn't know. He thought she and Fang Litang would meet again. He thought she would bring up the marriage again. So he kept what happened in the study a secret. He selfishly kept the jade pendant. He didn't want to return it to Fang Litang.

But he hadn't expected that the two of them wouldn't meet... "I don't know..." "Shut up!" Yun Zhuque gripped the jade pendant tightly, roaring at him. "How could you impersonate him?

How could you keep the jade pendant? How could you say nothing? And even four years later, you approached me as if nothing had happened. Feng Rilan, what are you up to?" "What are I up to?" Feng Rilan repeated her words, laughing self-deprecatingly. "Don't you really understand? Yun Zhuque, don't you really understand?" He looked at her, his dark eyes burning with intense emotion. At this moment, he no longer hid, no longer suppressed.

"Do you know why I hid the jade pendant? Why I didn't let Litang know?

Because one afternoon, a little girl came in through the window like a thief, and stole me away like a thief..." "Shut up!" Yun Zhuque dared not listen anymore, interrupting him in a panic. She didn't want to know. She didn't want to hear!

She avoided Feng Rilan's gaze, not wanting to face his eyes. But Feng Rilan wouldn't let her go. He stepped forward and gripped her shoulders tightly, forcing her to look at him.

"Look at me, Yun Zhuque. Four years ago, I fell in love with a young girl. But I knew she didn't belong to me.

So, selfishly, I kept the jade pendant. I just wanted to leave behind something that belonged to her..." "Shut up! Shut up!" Yun Zhuque pushed Feng Rilan away forcefully. His words made her panic. She didn't want to hear anymore. "So what? In my heart, you are nothing. You're just a substitute for Brother Litang!" "I don't care!" Feng Rilan yelled at her, "I don't care about being a substitute. As long as I can stay by your side, I don't care!" "You..." Yun Zhuque stared at him blankly, as if looking at a madman.

"As long as you don't reject me, I'm willing." He didn't care. As long as he could be by her side, he didn't care about being Fang Litang!

He loved her humbly, but it didn't matter. He only asked for a little. He only asked for her company. He didn't ask for anything else. Looking at him, Yun Zhuque panicked, became confused. His words frightened her. It made her resist. It also made her speak recklessly. "I don't want you as a substitute. You will never be Brother Li. You don't deserve it! Because you are a sinner. I hate you. I never want to see you again!" Hurtful words came out without thinking. She only wanted to hurt him. She only wanted him to stay far away from her.

"I don't want you. I don't need you. I don't need you!" Saying this, she threw the jade pendant at him. With a clang,

the jade pendant shattered on the ground.

The crisp sound made both of them pause. They stared at the hand that threw the jade pendant. Yun Zhuque was stunned.

"You..." Feng Rilan's face turned pale. Looking at the broken jade pendant, he couldn't believe she had done this.

Yun Zhuque bit her lip. She looked at him coldly. "This jade. I don't want it anymore! And you. I don't want you even more." She said coldly.

His heart ached because of her words. He looked at her. His voice was hoarse. "Are you serious?" "Yes!" Yun Zhuque raised her head. Her expression was arrogant. Without a trace of emotion.

"I hate you! You made Brother Li leave with regrets. You made me not even see him one last time.

I hate you! Get out. Stay far away from me. Don't ever appear in front of me again!" she said coldly. Seeing his sorrowful eyes, her heart inexplicably clenched. She clenched her fists, not understanding why her heart ached. Feng Rilan chuckled softly, but his laughter was extremely cold, his eyes filled with icy coldness. "I understand. Don't worry. I will do as you wish. I will never bother you again." After saying that, he turned and left without looking back, not even glancing at her. After he left, she collapsed, as if she had just fought a battle. Her expression was blank, staring blankly at her right hand—the hand that had thrown the jade pendant.

For some reason, she felt as if her heart had shattered, shattered into pieces...◎◎◎◎◎◎ "Feng Rilan, you've really ruined me!" Shen Tu Feijing glared angrily at Feng Rilan. He was so angry he could barely speak.

What sins had he committed in his life to have met two such wretched people? Well, at least his wretched wife made him happy. He enjoyed being humiliated, right? But what good had Feng Rilan ever done for him?

No! Absolutely not. Then why did Feng Rilan offend Yun Zhuque? Now the two of them parted on bad terms, and even he, an unrelated person, is involved. Just because he and Feng are childhood friends?

Are you kidding me? What does it have to do with him?!

"Fei Jing, do you really have to say what's on your mind?" Feng Rilan didn't even glance at Shen Tu Fei Jing. He raised the wine jug and took a big gulp.

"Mind your own business!" Shen Tu Fei Jing glared at him irritably. "You still have the mood to drink? Do you know that because of you, I'm now being vented on by my father-in-law? He's taking all his anger out on me. Damn it, what did I do to deserve this?" He clearly didn't do anything. Why is he being treated like this? "

Is that so? Thanks for your trouble." Wiping the wine stains from his lips, Feng Rilan's tone was indifferent. His handsome face still held a faint smile, but his eyes revealed a desolation that was hard to detect.

"You're even gloating..." Shen Tu Fei Jing cursed angrily. He stopped halfway through his rant. Looking at Feng Rilan's appearance, he couldn't help but sigh.

Look at him. His clothes were wrinkled, his chin was covered in unshaven stubble, and his eyes were bloodshot. This was nothing like the Feng Rilan he had known for over twenty years.

He had never seen Feng Rilan so disheveled. Even when he smiled, it was a desolate and bitter smile. Where was his usual dashing and carefree demeanor?

It seemed that his friend had also suffered a terrible defeat this time!

Shen Tu Feijing sighed again. Seeing Feng Rilan's appearance, he couldn't bring himself to curse anymore. Fine. He wouldn't curse, but he could at least complain, right?

"You bastard. When did you get a twin brother? I didn't even know? And your brother is that Fang Litang... What on earth is going on?" How could things in this world be so coincidental? The older brother and younger brother both fell in love with the same woman. Was it really that bizarre?

Feng Rilan lowered his handsome eyes, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Do you remember what I told you before? That I fell in love with her at first sight?" Shen Tu Feijing nodded. "I remember! So?"

"Do you know when that love at first sight happened?" Feng Rilan asked softly, almost as if talking to himself. His lowered gaze drifted away.

"Wasn't it around the time of Yun Xuanwu's wedding?" Shen Tu Feijing scratched his head and asked back.

"It was four years ago." Feng Rilan closed his eyes, thinking of the moment he lost his heart, the day he first saw the beautiful elf.

"Ah?" Shen Tu Feijing was stunned. He asked in surprise, "Four, four years ago? You met Yun Zhuque four years ago?" Feng Rilan didn't speak. After taking another sip of wine, he spoke softly. "I've been corresponding with Litang.

In his letters, Litang mentions the little girl next door the most often. Through his letters, I know how much he likes that little girl. I didn't think much of it. What's so great about liking a little girl who hasn't grown up yet?" He paused, then let out a soft breath. He continued, "One day, Li Tang told me he had proposed to the girl next door. He said he wanted to marry her. I was stunned when I saw it. Good heavens! I didn't want my brother's first love to be a little girl. I think he must have never seen a real woman before to be so foolish." "And then?" Shen Tu Fei Jing asked curiously.

"I decided to stop him. So I ran to find Li Tang. But Li Tang wasn't there that day. I waited for him in the study. And then..." "And then what?" Shen Tu Fei Jing's eyes widened.

"And then..." Thinking of the most vivid scene in his memory, Feng Ri Lan smiled gently, his eyes filled with deep affection.

"A little girl jumped in through the window. She sat on the windowsill, her big, bright eyes looking at me. And then she smiled brightly at me." He closed his eyes. Thinking of that scene: "In that instant, I felt like my heart was about to stop. I couldn't look away, staring at her like a fool. She was as beautiful as the goddess of spring. I dared not speak, afraid of scaring her away." He would always remember that day. That captivating little girl. With just a smile and a pair of eyes, she quietly stole his heart.

"It wasn't until she called me Brother Litang that I snapped out of my daze, realizing that the little girl in front of me was the girl next door that Litang had been mentioning in his letters, the little girl he wanted to marry." The moment he understood, he knew he had no hope. She would never belong to him. Shen Tu Feijing was dumbfounded. He couldn't say a word. He could only stare blankly at Feng Rilan. Feng Rilan looked at him. A mocking smile appeared on his handsome face. "But I, as the elder brother, was despicable. I impersonated Li Tang and received that girl's kiss and jade pendant. I know it doesn't belong to me. I should have returned the jade pendant to Li Tang. But I selfishly kept it. I thought they would be together. So it shouldn't be a problem for me to keep this jade pendant, right? But..." He clenched his fist in anguish.

"Ri Lan..." Shen Tu Fei Jing frowned.

"But Li Tang is gone. Just like that." Feng Ri Lan smiled, but it was a bitter smile. His eyes were filled with deep pain. "When I heard the news, I couldn't believe it. He was so young. And..." Feng Ri Lan closed his eyes in anguish. He laughed hoarsely.

"And... he had no idea that Yun Zhu Que had accepted his marriage proposal. Because that day I impersonated him,

and Yun Zhu Que didn't even see Li Tang one last time before leaving home. He left with disappointment... and I had no idea. I selfishly kept the jade pendant. I am... a sinner. Fei Jing. To Yun Zhu Que and Li Tang, I am the sinner who ruined their relationship..." Feng Ri Lan murmured. His voice was hoarse with pain. His large hand gripped the wine jug tightly. He tilted his head back and gulped down the wine. It slid down his chin, wetting his face and collar.

"Ri Lan…" Unable to bear his self-reproach, Shen Tu Fei Jing immediately stepped forward and forcefully snatched the wine jug from his hand. "Alright. Stop drinking. Fang Li Tang's death wasn't your fault. Life and death are fate. How did you know Fang Li Tang would die from the plague? This was something you couldn't have predicted!" "Is that so? Is that how it is?" Feng Ri Lan murmured, unable to forget Yun Zhu Que's heartbroken expression. To her, he would always be a sinner, wouldn't he?

And he would never have a chance to atone.

He opened his eyes, swayed as he stood up, walked to the window, and continued, "Later, when I went to pay my respects at Li Tang's grave, I learned that the Yun family had already moved away. Nobody knew where they went." "Didn't you send anyone to investigate?" "No." His handsome eyes narrowed slightly. Feng Rilan said calmly, "What's there to investigate? Even if we meet, what can we say? Let's just leave it at that! Who knows..." "Who knows I married Bai Hu?" Shen Tu Feijing chimed in. "Yes!" Feng Rilan shook his head and smiled bitterly. Was it just too much of a coincidence? "I didn't expect you to be connected to the Yun family. Knowing you knew Yun Bai Hu, I knew I would meet her." "Come on! You clearly want to see her, don't you?" Shen Tu Feijing exposed Feng Rilan. Please! Whether you want to see someone or not is a choice. "Not only that, you even brought up this stupid game. Rilan, you haven't really given up, have you?" "She's changed. Feijing." Actually, he had secretly seen her. He didn't want to show himself. But he saw her unhappy.

Completely different from the her of four years ago. She had become so distant. The smile on her face was no longer innocent. That mischievous look had disappeared. In its place, even with a smile on her face, he could hear the crying in her heart.

That version of her made his heart ache.

"She's unhappy. Even her smiles are tinged with sorrow. Others can't tell, but I can. I see the tears in her eyes. My heart aches so much." He didn't want to see her like that. So he deliberately appeared before her, deliberately teasing and provoking her. He didn't care about being Fang Litang's substitute. As long as he could stay by her side, he didn't care. Actually, he was still selfish. He wanted her. Even if she didn't love him, he didn't care. As long as she was by his side, that was enough.

However, his heart also had its moments of dissatisfaction. On one hand, he was willing to be a substitute, but on the other hand, he was unwilling to remain a substitute forever. He was Feng Rilan! How much he wanted her to fall in love with Feng Rilan! Even just a little bit would be enough.

But... she didn't love him. She even rejected him.

Feng Rilan smiled bitterly. He turned to look at Shen Tu Feijing. His thin lips could no longer curve into a smile. At this moment, he couldn't smile anymore.

"Feijing, do you know? She won't even let me be her substitute anymore." Those cruel words—pierced his heart.

"I don't want you as a substitute. You will never be Li Tang. You don't deserve it! Because you are a sinner. I hate you.

I never want to see you again!

" Her words, each one like a sharp blade, pierced his heart. He was wounded beyond repair, speechless. It wasn't that he didn't feel pain. His heart was made of flesh too!

But what could he say? She had already rejected him. He had his pride too. He couldn't keep pestering her.

Impossible… His heart was also broken. It hurt so much… Shen Tu Feijing wanted to comfort Feng Rilan,

but he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only stammer,

"Then, what do you plan to do in the future?"

"Nothing." Feng Rilan reached out and caught the falling flower petals. His hand slowly clenched. A deep sorrow flashed across his dark eyes. "Let's end it like this! There is no future." He would do as she wished. Stay far away from her. Never pester her again.

◎◎◎◎◎◎

She got her wish!

Feng Rilan left. He would never bother her again.

He really…left… Yun Zhuque sat on the chaise longue, her gaze vacant. Her usual composure and calmness were gone. Even her once shrewd and cunning eyes had vanished,

replaced by a blank expression and a lost, helpless look. She couldn't even manage a smile.

She didn't understand. Why couldn't she smile?

She didn't understand. Why, when she closed her eyes, all she could think of was Feng Rilan's cold gaze, and that face that no longer smiled at her? "

I will do as you wish. I will never bother you again."

His words echoed in her mind, impossible to forget.

Why was this happening? She didn't understand. She clearly hated him. How could he take the jade pendant? How could he impersonate Brother Li?

How could he deceive her like this?

She couldn't forgive him! Just thinking that Brother Li hadn't heard her answer before he died, thinking that Brother Li had died with regret, made her unable to forgive Feng Rilan!

She hated him! But…why did he leave? She wasn't happy or joyful at all. She even remembered his expression before he left.

"Why..."

"Why what?" Yun Qinglong interrupted, her sharp gaze fixed on her second sister. Seeing her distraught expression, she couldn't help but sigh.

"What are you thinking about?" Entering the room, Yun Qinglong sat down and asked,

avoiding her elder sister's gaze. Yun Zhuque lowered her head. "Nothing." "Is that so?" Yun Qinglong wasn't so easily dismissed. She pressed on, "If nothing's wrong, why does your face look so pale? Look at yourself. Is this the usually calm and composed Yun Zhuque? What are you panicking about? What are you afraid of?" Yun Zhuque didn't speak, only keeping her head down, her small hands tightly gripping her skirt. Yun Qinglong

wouldn't let her off the hook. "Yun Zhuque, look up at me. When did you become so timid?" "I didn't." Taking a deep breath, Yun Zhuque raised her head, stubbornly looking at her elder sister. "I'm not afraid. I'm not panicked." "Is that so?" Yun Qinglong smiled sarcastically. "Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror? Or are you too afraid to even look?" "Enough!" Yun Zhuque closed her eyes, growling uncontrollably, "What exactly are you trying to say?" "You've fallen in love with Feng Rilan. Isn't that right?" "No!" Her eyes widened. Yun Zhuque stood up and shouted, "No! I haven't! I haven't fallen in love with him. I hate him. I hate him to death!" She clenched her fists, shouting frantically, "Do you know what he did? Four years ago, the person I saw wasn't Brother Li at all. It was him! He took the jade pendant but didn't say anything to Brother Li. How could he do that? How could he? Even four years later, he appeared before me as if nothing had happened, saying he was willing to be Brother Li's substitute.

How could he be so shameless?"

Yun Zhuque roared in despair, her eyes filled with madness. She couldn't forgive him! But why did his face keep appearing in her mind? Why did she keep remembering his eyes before he left?

That wounded look. It kept appearing in her mind… “Can you blame him?” Yun Qinglong looked at her calmly. “Why don’t you blame yourself?” “Blame me?” Yun Zhuque was taken aback.

“How long have you known Fang Litang? Don’t you like him a lot? Why couldn’t you recognize that it was Feng Rilan in disguise four years ago? If you could recognize that it was Feng Rilan, would he have been able to get the jade pendant? Okay. Even if the guy surnamed Feng didn’t get the jade pendant, wouldn’t Fang Litang have survived?” “I…” Yun Zhuque opened her mouth, but couldn’t say anything. She could only shake her head painfully. "No... I..." "Yes. You understand better than anyone. There's no right or wrong in this. You're just afraid. You're just afraid of falling in love with Feng Rilan. So you resist. You find a scapegoat to pin on him. You find a reason to hate him. Because you won't allow yourself to love him. Isn't that right?" "No! I don't love..."

"If you hadn't fallen in love with that Feng guy, would you be like this today?" Yun Qinglong didn't want to hear her argument. She interrupted her.

"Look at you!" She grabbed Yun Zhuque, forcing her to look at herself in the mirror. "Look at yourself. Do you dare say to yourself in the mirror that you haven't fallen in love with Feng Rilan?" "I..." Yun Zhuque stared blankly at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were panicked. Her small face was full of struggle and fear.

What was she afraid of?

She was afraid... afraid that he could always easily stir her emotions. Afraid that her gaze would always involuntarily drift to him. That frivolous smile. That arrogant and unruly appearance. She had always known. He wasn't Fang Litang. She had never considered him Fang Litang.

She had always considered him Feng Rilan. She had never considered him a substitute. Never!

Yun Zhuque closed her eyes. She dared not look at herself anymore. She couldn't look anymore. "No. I can't..." "Why not?" Yun Qinglong raised an eyebrow. She asked aggressively, "Just because of Fang Litang?

Is the Fang Litang in your heart such a selfish person? Is it only allowed for you to love him for a lifetime? Even if he dies, you have to mourn for him for a lifetime? Is he such a selfish bastard?" "No! He's not!" Yun Zhuque shook her head vigorously. "Then what is he? Tell me!" Yun Qinglong pressed.

"It's...it's..." Yun Zhuque opened her eyes. Looking at herself in the mirror. "It's...it's me. I'm afraid. I'm afraid of losing him again..." She slumped down, painfully closing her eyes. "What if I lose him again? I don't want to. I'm afraid." She had already experienced the pain once. That feeling was very, very painful. So. She didn't want to love again. As long as she didn't love. It wouldn't hurt anymore. But why... did her heart still ache just the same? Just as painful? Not happy at all. Why?

"Silly girl," Yun Qinglong looked at her second sister with heartache. "Running away won't solve everything. Zhuque, you're so smart, how could you not understand?" "I..." Opening her eyes, Yun Zhuque looked at her eldest sister speechlessly. "I don't know. I don't know what to do anymore..." she murmured to herself.

Her heart was already completely lost. She only remembered him. She remembered his smile. She remembered in the market, when she was all alone, he came to her, holding a candied hawthorn, smiling and saying to her that he had finally found her. Was it in that instant that her heart fell? Because... he found her... She had been lonely for so long. She cried out in the depths of darkness,

but no one noticed her loneliness. Not even she herself noticed. But he found her. He found her with a smile... Only he saw the real her.

Perhaps... even when she met him, her heart was no longer the same as before. Her heart had already been quietly fluttering. She had simply ignored it, and then cruelly hurt him. Yun Zhuque smiled bitterly. She couldn't forget his cold gaze.

Every time she thought of it, her heart would ache. It hurt so much… And him… was he hurting even more?

"Zhuque, go see him!" Yun Qinglong said earnestly. "See whom?" Yun Zhuque looked at her elder sister, puzzled.

"Fang Litang," Yun Qinglong said softly.

Yun Zhuque was instantly jolted. Yun Qinglong gently patted her shoulder, saying in a deep voice, "You've been running away for four years. It's time to go see him. Maybe then you'll have the answer." Hearing her elder sister's words, Yun Zhuque remained silent, her eyes filled with hesitation.

She really had to...

"I've come to see you, Brother Li." Yun Zhuque stood before the tombstone, her gaze deep and unfathomable, staring at the name on the tombstone.

After hesitating for several days, she still came.

Her elder sister was right. Running away wouldn't solve the problem. She had run away for four years; now it was time to face it.

"I'm sorry; I'm only coming to see you now, four years later." She sat before the tombstone, her slender fingers gently tracing the name on the grave.

She smiled slightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you off four years ago. Will you blame me?" she asked softly, her eyes misty.

The wind gently blew, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"I know you won't." Her head gently rested against the tombstone. "You've always been so kind to me. You've never been able to blame me," she whispered, as if she were being coquettish, her smile gentle. "You know what? Actually, four years ago, I did agree to your marriage proposal! But I mistook your older brother for you. And he didn't tell you. He even secretly kept the jade pendant I gave you. He's so mean. So mean, isn't he?" She complained like a little girl.

"But I was mean too. I said such hurtful things to him. I was like a madwoman. I just wanted to get rid of him and make sure he never appeared in front of me again." She lowered her eyes, her low voice seeming to be a confession. "You know I hurt your older brother so much. He must be angry with me, right?" After asking softly, she quickly explained. "But... I didn't mean to. I was just scared. So scared... that you would just leave me like this. The feeling of loss is so painful, so painful. I'm afraid of that pain. That's why I don't dare to accept him. I'm afraid of losing him again. I'm afraid he'll leave me like you did. I don't want to go through that pain again." She stubbornly blamed him for everything. "It's all your fault. Who told you to leave me? You know I'm afraid of being alone. You know that..." She closed her eyes. Tears that she had been holding back for so long rolled down her cheeks. "I... I think I've fallen in love with your older brother." She choked out. She whispered, "But... but I don't see him as you. I don't. Even if you look alike, your personalities are so different. You're so good. He's so awful. I think I have bad taste. How could I like him?" Really. She felt like she was blind. That guy not only had a bad personality, but his mouth was also annoying. The things he said made her furious. Every time, she was so angry with him that she wanted to kill him. "He's really annoying. Really... But when I'm with him, I get so angry I forget my sadness, forget my loneliness, and only remember him." Yun Zhuque said softly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "How strange, isn't it?" He could actually soothe her loneliness.

"Brother Li, I... I want to love again." She mustered her courage and said boldly. "Although I'm still afraid, I don't want to run away anymore. Running away isn't pleasant either. You see, I've been avoiding the fact that you're dead for four years, and I've suffered for four years. Now, I don't want to run away anymore." She raised her head and looked earnestly at the tombstone. "Brother Li, I accept that you're gone. Really... You'll be happy for me, right?" She lowered her head, her forehead pressed against the tombstone,

as if she had returned to the past. She had been pouting at him, and he would have stroked her head, looking at her tenderly.

"Brother Li, may you rest in peace." Her voice choked with sobs. She said the words she should have said four years ago.

In these four years, she had been willful enough. She knew her family had tolerated her for four years. Even if they wanted to persuade her or scold her, they held back. They were waiting for her to take the first step.

And now, she had taken it! She no longer lived in the past. She wanted to live in the present. She didn't want to be bound by the past anymore. Raising her head, Yun Zhuque blinked away her tears. Looking at the tombstone, she smiled sweetly. "Brother Li, I want to go find him. I want to ask for his forgiveness. Do you think he will forgive me?" she asked, but there was no answer. Because even she herself wasn't sure.

Those cruel words still echoed in her ears. Every word was so hurtful. She knew she had hurt him deeply.

Would he still care about her?

Yun Zhuque thought softly, her eyes slightly raised, only to fall into a pair of dark eyes. She froze, staring blankly at the figure in front of her.

He... how could he be here? And when did he arrive?

She nervously wrung her hands, her eyes fixed on him. She wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say. She could only wait blankly for his reaction.

Feng Rilan quietly watched Yun Zhuque. A smile curved his thin lips. "What a coincidence. You've come to see Litang too," he said with a smile. His nonchalant demeanor made it seem as if nothing had happened. "Yes, yes!" Yun Zhuque looked at him expectantly. Seeing that he was willing to pay attention to her, her heart couldn't help but leap with joy. But she also felt that his attitude was strange. Feng Rilan smiled faintly. He only glanced at her with his dark eyes before looking away. He walked towards the tombstone, carrying a water bag in his hand.

"Litang, I know you don't drink alcohol, so I had to bring you tea!" he said. He opened the water bag and poured it over the tombstone. After

pouring the tea, he left the last sip and drank it all in one gulp. "Alright. Goodbye. I won't disturb you and Miss Yun's time together next time I come to see you." He nodded to Yun Zhuque. "Miss Yun, I won't disturb you and Litang anymore." After saying that, he didn't look at her again and turned to leave. Yun Zhuque was stunned. She knew what was strange.

He was smiling at her, but it was a distant smile. Even when he spoke to her, it was polite, his tone respectful, and he called her Miss Yun… He treated her like a stranger. He stopped teasing her, stopped his playful banter, and only gave her perfunctory responses.

“Wait, wait!” she quickly called out to him.

Feng Rilan stopped and turned to look at her. His handsome face still held a faint smile, but his eyes were indifferent. “Is there anything else, Miss Yun?” “I…” His attitude made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t used to him like this. Suddenly, she didn’t know what to say.

After a while, she stammered, “Are you… are you angry?” She looked at him cautiously, which made him raise an eyebrow.

“Why would I be angry?” he retorted. Her attitude caused a glint to flash in his dark eyes, but it was quickly replaced by indifference. "Because I..." "I said those hurtful things."

Feng Rilan smiled indifferently. "There's nothing to be angry about. Miss Yun, you're overthinking it. I won't get angry at unimportant people." Yun Zhuque was stunned. His words hit her hard.

What? Unimportant people? What did that mean? Did he mean she had become unimportant? Did he no longer care about her?

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now." After saying that, he turned and left.

And this time, she didn't call him back. She was still shocked by his words. Unimportant people... She? Was she unimportant?

◎◎◎◎◎◎

"Hahaha... Serves you right!" Hearing Yun Zhuque's words, Yun Qinglong showed no sympathy. Instead, she laughed loudly.

"You reap what you sow." Yun Baihu also coldly threw out a sentence.

"Second sister, I can't sympathize with you." Yun Xuanwu held her teacup, sipped her tea slowly, and spoke slowly.

"Unimportant people..." Yun Xiaomei pouted. "My second sister is so pitiful! If Chu Riyang said that to me, I would cry my eyes out." Just imagining it made her eyes red.

"Little sister, shut up!" Yun Zhuque glared at her. At this moment, she couldn't force a smile. She just felt suffocated.

Feng Rilan, you're ruthless! One sentence and she was completely defeated. "Oh!" Yun Xiaomei quickly covered her mouth.

"It's no use getting angry at little sister. It won't change the facts. Poor thing. That guy surnamed Feng is ignoring you. Serves you right.

Who taught you to hurt him like that?" Yun Qinglong sneered.

Yun Zhuque bit her lip and obediently listened to her eldest sister's scolding. There was no way around it. She was in the wrong first. She was the one who hurt Feng Rilan first.

She was the one who said she didn't want him. No wonder he doesn't want her now.

"Eldest sister, what should we do?" Unable to make up her mind, Yun Zhuque asked for help.

"How should I know?" Yun Qinglong shrugged. "Otherwise, you should swallow your pride and pester him. Beg for his forgiveness!" "Pet him? Beg him?" Yun Zhuque's eyes widened. Her brows furrowed. "Would it work? He... even the way he looks at me is so cold." She wasn't used to him like that. She didn't like his coldness towards her. At this moment, she would rather he tease her, make her angry, than be indifferent.

"Big sister, he's really angry, isn't he!" Yun Zhuque murmured. "Yes. I was wrong. But he's a man! A man should be magnanimous! I, I already lowered my head..." "Who wouldn't be angry if treated like that? Second sister, if it were you, wouldn't you be angry?" Yun Xuanwu lazily interrupted Yun Zhuque.

Yun Zhuque was stunned. Yes! She would be furious. She might even kill the person who treated her like that on the spot. How could she be gentle?

"Besides, did you lower your head?" Yun Baihu retorted.

"I..." Yun Zhuque opened her mouth, then lowered her head and sighed. "No." She was so nervous when she saw him that she couldn't speak. She wanted to apologize, but couldn't bring herself to say it. She really wanted to tell him that she had fallen in love with him, but the words stuck in her throat.

In the end, she just couldn't be honest with him. Facing him, she became awkward and couldn't speak her true feelings. She was used to pretending. Asking her to be honest and humble herself was so hard.

"Second sister, you should admit your mistakes." Yun Xiaomei lectured her righteously. "Like me, I apologize obediently when I do something wrong. That way, Chu Riyang won't be angry with me. You should apologize too! That way, Brother Feng will definitely forgive you." "Little sister..." Yun Zhuque looked at her sister and couldn't help but smile. She affectionately stroked her little sister's head.

"Little sister, being simple is a good thing!" It is simplicity that allows for straightforwardness.

But she could never be straightforward.

She thought of Feng Rilan and how good he had been to her. Thinking of his relentless pursuit of her, no matter how coldly she treated him, he always smiled.

Now it should be the other way around. She was the one who hurt him, so it was her turn to mend the wound.

"So? What are you planning to do?" Seeing her second sister's determined expression, Yun Qinglong knew she had a plan.

"Find him." Yun Zhuque confidently raised her small face, her usual composure returning. "Even if he treats me like a stranger, it doesn't matter. This time, I'll shamelessly pester him." But how to find an opportunity to meet him... Yun Zhuque tapped the table, pondering. Her eyes flickered slightly,

just in time to see Shen Tu Feijing walk in. Then, she smiled.

Seeing her smile, the three Yun sisters raised their eyebrows and looked at Shen Tu Feijing as well. Then, they smiled too.

Seeing her sisters smiling, the youngest Yun sister scratched her head. Although she didn't understand what her sisters were laughing about, she also smiled at Shen Tu Feijing.

Seeing the smiles of the four "ghosts" of the Yun family, Shen Tu Feijing immediately stopped in his tracks. He involuntarily shuddered.

Damn it. He had a bad feeling!

◎◎◎◎◎◎

What sins had Shen Tu Feijing committed? Why was he always the one who suffered bad luck, never good things?

Shen Tu Feijing walked silently behind Feng Rilan with a bitter face, muttering to himself.

"Feijing, what are you talking about?" Feng Rilan turned to look at his friend. He had heard him muttering to himself the whole way, but it was all muffled and unclear. "N-nothing!" Shen Tu Feijing grinned and

patted Feng Rilan's shoulder forcefully.

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

He smiled brightly, but his eyes were guilty. "Really?" Feng Rilan looked at Shen Tu Feijing suspiciously,

playing with his folding fan, his handsome eyes slightly narrowed.

"But you're usually always glued to your sister-in-law's side. Why did you suddenly have time to invite me to a restaurant today?" "Oh, I get tired of looking at that woman all day long. Besides, it's been

a while since I've had a meal and chatted with you. It's a rare treat, haha..." Shen Tu Feijing chuckled, but sweat began to drip down his face.

Sigh! Why did he have to do this?

But it was his "sister" who ordered him to do it. He couldn't disobey! Why... why should a great hero be bullied by his wife's family like this?

"Is that so?" Feng Rilan found it hard to believe Shen Tu Feijing's reasoning. Especially seeing the glint in Shen Tu Feijing's eyes.

It was obvious that something was amiss.

They had known each other for over twenty years. This guy's lying skills were still as bad as ever!

But he didn't expose him. He waited to see what tricks Shen Tu Feijing would play. "Then let's go. The restaurant is just ahead." He smiled and took the lead.

"Oh! Okay." Shen Tu Feijing quickly followed. He wasn't stupid. He knew how bad his lying skills were.

He knew perfectly well that Feng Rilan, with his shrewdness, must have seen through his lie.

But why didn't Feng Rilan expose him?

Shen Tu Feijing frowned, truly unable to fathom Feng Rilan's thoughts. He could only silently follow him into the restaurant, having the waiter lead him to a private room on the second floor.

"Sir, we've arrived. Please come in! The young lady has been waiting for you for a long time," the waiter said,

bowing. "Young lady?" Feng Rilan raised an eyebrow, lifting the curtain to see Yun Zhuque sitting inside. Upon seeing him, a smile bloomed on her delicate face. He immediately turned to Shen Tu Feijing.

"Haha..." Shen Tu Feijing immediately chuckled dryly.

"Uh... I remembered I have something to do for Bai Hu. I'll leave now. You two chat!" Having said that, she didn't dare look at Feng Rilan again and quickly left.

"Feng Rilan, I have something to tell you," Yun Zhuque quickly said, afraid he would leave.

"Oh?" Feng Rilan looked at her, entered the private room, and casually found a chair to sit down. A faint smile played on his lips.

"What important matter could possibly warrant such a fuss from Miss Yun? Why bother with Fei Jing's antics? Just say the word, and I'll come." "Really? You really will?" Yun Zhuque bit her lip, looking at him.

"Of course." Feng Rilan smiled faintly, his handsome eyes slightly narrowed. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. "You're lying!" she protested. "You won't come at all. Because you don't want to see me, right?" Feng Rilan didn't speak, only his smile faded slightly. "You're the one who doesn't want to see me." "I didn't!" Yun Zhuque desperately tried to grab his hand, but he avoided it, preventing her from touching him. His evasion startled her.

"I...I'm sorry," she apologized. "That day...I was flustered and panicked. That's why I spoke without thinking. I didn't mean it." "Is that so?" Feng Rilan coldly raised his eyes, looking at her indifferently. "So what? Those things are no longer important to me." "I..." His coldness left her bewildered. She stammered, unsure what to say. She could only stare at him.

Feng Rilan looked away, avoiding her gaze. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going. Please don't play these tricks again. Don't forget, you were the one who rejected me." He immediately stood up. "I...I've fallen in love with you!" Yun Zhuque mustered her courage and said to him, her face slightly flushed. But she didn't run away, looking deeply into his eyes.

"Perhaps...I fell in love with you before. But I'm afraid of lovers. I'm afraid...Brother Li left, leaving me alone. I'm so sad. I'm so afraid of losing you again. That's why I didn't want to love again. That's why I hurt you. Actually, it was my cowardice that was causing this. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry..." She really didn't mean to hurt him. She wasn't... "I...I've been running away. I've been running away for four years.

I can't face the fact that Brother Li is dead. Even when I met you, I was running away. I was running away from my feelings for you...I've never considered you Brother Li. I know you're Feng Rilan. I've always known." She stepped forward, biting her lip, and carefully grasped his clothes. "Feng Rilan, please don't be angry with me anymore,

okay?"

He shook off her hand. Feng Rilan looked at her expressionlessly. "I'm not angry with you. Because it's unnecessary now." "Feng Rilan..."

"Enough." He interrupted her. He didn't want to hear anymore. "Miss Yun. Let's end it like this! I'm tired." His heart was still aching.

Forgiving her was too difficult for him now.

"Tired?" Yun Zhuque stared at him blankly.

She didn't say anything more, nor did she look at him again. Feng Rilan turned and left.

"I won't give up!" she said to his back.

Feng Rilan paused for a moment, but didn't turn around. He left on his own. Watching his departing figure, Yun Zhuque clenched her small hands. Her eyes flashed with a resolute light.

"I won't give up..."

She would definitely make him fall head over heels for her again!

Chapter Ten

"Brother Lan, you really won't forgive Sister Yun?" Xiang Yingxiu looked at Feng Rilan with wide eyes, curious.

The martial arts world had been quite lively these past few months. Because Sister Yun had actually said... "Brother Lan is hers, Yun Zhuque's,

in life and in death. His soul is in her hands. Who dares to steal him from her? They're clearly going against her.

" These words naturally provoked many people's dissatisfaction, especially since Brother Lan had many female admirers. Those girls were extremely annoyed by Sister Yun's words.

However, Sister Yun was also ruthless. She simply said, "If anyone dares to steal my man, I'll definitely dig up their ancestral graves and plunder them clean!"

How wicked!

But this threat was truly effective, scaring away a thousand women and making the martial arts world marvel. They even felt sorry for Feng Ri Lan.

Poor thing, he'd actually provoked such a terrifying woman. It was truly frightening! Sister Yun's methods left her speechless. Moreover, for the past few months, Sister Yun had come to see Brother Lan every day, but he always treated her coldly. This was the first time she'd seen Brother Lan like this, so indifferent and unapproachable. It seemed Brother Lan was truly angry!

Even though Brother Lan was cold, Sister Yun persisted in coming to his door, always with a smile, unconcerned about his indifference.

At first, she was angry that Sister Yun had hurt Brother Lan so much. But after understanding the reason, she felt sorry for Sister Yun. And… she was also one of the culprits in Sister Yun's anger!

"Brother Lan, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken your jade pendant." She had always known that Brother Lan had a girl he liked. Not only her, but even Feng's parents knew.

Because Brother Lan always liked to hide in his study, gazing longingly at the portrait, his hand caressing the jade pendant. He never parted with that jade pendant.

Therefore, upon seeing Sister Yun, she recognized her as the girl in the portrait, the one Brother Lan had always longed for.

Seeing Sister Yun's indifference towards Brother Lan, she secretly took the jade pendant to help him, and also took out the portrait hidden in a secret compartment. Then she called Sister Yun to the study.

She originally thought that Sister Yun would understand Brother Lan's feelings upon seeing the portrait and would be moved. She was going to accept Brother Lan. Who knew she'd mess it up!

She felt incredibly guilty. Although Brother Lan didn't blame her, she still blamed herself. Why did she have to meddle?

"Silly Yingxiu. I told you, I don't blame you." Feng Rilan smiled faintly, gently stroking her head.

"The secret will be discovered sooner or later. Your actions only hastened it." He was already prepared and didn't intend to keep it from Yun Zhuque forever.

However, even though he was prepared for Yun Zhuque's reaction, he was still hurt by her words. That heart-wrenching pain was unforgettable.

"Then why don't you forgive Sister Yun?" Xiang Yingxiu pressed, looking at him in confusion. "Don't you like Sister Yun anymore?" "I…" Feng Rilan opened his mouth, but couldn't answer. Looking at Xiang Yingxiu, he smiled.

"Yingxiu, you're still young. You don't understand."

"Don't say Yingxiu doesn't understand. Even I don't understand." Shen Tu Feijing strode over, his handsome face filled with dejection.

He glared at him irritably. "Fei Jing. What brings you here?" Feng Rilan raised an eyebrow at him. "Hmph! Thanks to you,

I've been having a terrible time lately." Shen Tu Fei Jing snorted coldly. He felt like he was really at his lowest point.

"That's strange. What does your relationship with Yun Zhuque have to do with me? Do you know that if you ignore Yun Zhuque for a day,

my life becomes miserable too? I get glared at by my father-in-law every day, and even Bai Hu is sarcastic towards me. What's wrong with me?

Does being your brother have to be this unlucky?"

Shen Tu Fei Jing yelled. Damn it. Knowing Feng Rilan was the worst thing that ever happened to him. Could he just not have this brother?

Hearing his friend's complaints, Feng Rilan couldn't help but laugh. He patted his shoulder sympathetically. "You've had a tough time, brother." "Don't give me that." Shen Tu Fei Jing slapped his hand away. His handsome face looked very pitiful. "Rilan, I beg you! Don't be so stubborn. Okay?" "I'm not being stubborn." Feng Rilan lowered his eyes. His voice was indifferent.

"Why wouldn't you forgive Yun Zhuque if it weren't for you?" Shen Tu Feijing sneered, glancing at him sideways and muttering irritably.

"I'm not saying this, but why should a real man argue with a woman? Especially since she's already softened her stance. These past few months, she's ignored your coldness and come to you every day. You ignore her, and she doesn't care. She doesn't mind being ignored. Honestly, it's already very good." Sigh! If his Baihao were willing to treat him like that, he would definitely be moved to tears.

"Feijing, I'm not you," Feng Rilan said calmly. "For me, forgiveness is difficult. Those words were too cruel. Besides, you know my personality." "I..." Shen Tu Feijing opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Yes. He knew his brother very well. Feng Rilan seemed to have a good temper and never cared about trivial matters.

But once he got angry, it was very difficult to make amends; he seemed easygoing, but his pride was higher than anyone else's.

He knew how utterly devoted Feng Rilan was to Yun Zhuque. No matter how coldly she treated him, Feng Rilan willingly cherished and pampered her, even willingly becoming her substitute, just wanting to be by her side. He didn't ask for much. Even though he longed for her love, he never spoke of it, only asking to be by her side.

He loved her so humbly, even abandoning his self-respect. But Yun Zhuque spoke of not wanting him. One cruel word after another pierced him like a sharp blade.

His love was trampled upon. His self-respect was completely gone. He was deeply, deeply wounded. He

had seen Feng Rilan's dejected appearance, knew how deep his wounds were, and knew how painful he was back then.

"Sigh! You two are really..." Shen Tu Feijing sighed. Helpless, speechless. "Forget it, forget it. I'll just continue to be unlucky." He grabbed his hair, about to give up and leave, when he saw Yun Zhuque standing behind him.

He froze for a moment. She stole a glance at Feng Rilan. She quickly spoke. "Uh... Zhuque. When did you arrive?" Feng Rilan also looked up at her. Their eyes met, but he looked away as if he didn't see her. His cold demeanor made Yun Zhuque's heart clench.

She had heard the entire conversation. She had truly hurt him deeply... "Uh..." Shen Tu Feijing glanced awkwardly at the two of them. "Then... you two can chat slowly. Yingxiu,

let's go!" Grabbing Xiang Yingxiu, the two quickly left.

◎◎◎◎◎◎

"Is there something you need?" Feng Rilan asked calmly. His dark eyes looked at Yun Zhuque. His handsome face held a faint smile, yet it was a distant politeness.

Yun Zhuque looked at him. For the past few months, he had treated her this way.

After being treated coldly by him, she couldn't help but miss the old him, the one with the sharp tongue, the one who would smile mischievously at her, the one who would make her angry.

She missed him from before; but... this was her own doing. Who taught her to break his heart? He loved her so humbly. She had discarded his love so easily. Not only was she ungrateful, but she had even hurt him with hurtful words out of fear. At that time, she only wanted to protect herself. She only wanted to escape everything.

She only wanted to... hurt him. "I'm sorry..." she whispered, biting her lip. "I... hurt you very, very badly, didn't I? I was really just panicked then. I was so confused and didn't know what to do. But I really didn't mean to.

I just didn't dare to admit that I loved you..."

"Enough!" Feng Rilan interrupted her. His face was devoid of any smile. Only deep indifference remained. "

Do

n't say you love me anymore. I can't bear your love. Yun Zhuque. What do you want from me?

Do you think a simple 'I love you' can salvage everything? What do you take me for? Someone you can take or leave as you please? I'm a person, not your plaything, to be summoned and dismissed at will!" "No! It's not like that..." Yun Zhuque panicked, trying to explain. But he wouldn't listen.

"Don't you think you've played with me enough? Haven't you trampled on my self-respect enough?" he mocked. His dark eyes were cold. "Enough. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore. I'll do as you wish.

I won't bother you anymore. I'll stay far away from you. And please don't bother me anymore." "I..." Yun Zhuque stared at him blankly, her eyes misty. "Do you...do you hate me? Does Gong no longer love me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Feng Rilan closed his eyes. "Love or not. It doesn't matter anymore." "It...it doesn't matter anymore?" She repeated his words. Tears welled up and finally spilled down her cheeks. She quickly lowered her head, not wanting him to see. "Is that so? Then, then I understand..." she whispered. Hot tears dripped down, one by one, falling to the ground.

He saw it. She...she cried?

It was the first time he'd seen her tears. Feng Rilan's gaze became complicated. Why was she crying? She had hurt him. He hadn't even cried. Why was she crying?

Did she think tears could solve everything? No! Impossible!

Clenching his fists, Feng Rilan hardened his heart. He stopped looking at her and turned away.

"I'm sorry...I'm really sorry..." Knowing he was gone, Yun Zhuque covered her mouth, crouching down in anguish. Tears streamed down her face, wetting her cheeks. She didn't care. She only cared about him... "I'm sorry..." It was her fault. She had hurt him. "I'm sorry..." she murmured repeatedly. But no amount of apology could bring him back.

His heart was dead. He no longer loved her.

"I'm sorry..." she sobbed. Her eyes were blurred with tears. Through the misty light, she saw a pair of shoes stop in front of her.

She froze. She lifted her tear-streaked face. "Feng..." Seeing it was him, her eyes widened.

"Damn you! Why are you crying?" Feng Rilan forcefully pulled her up, roughly grabbing her shoulders and shaking her violently. "Yun Zhuque, why are you crying? What do you think your tears can change? Why are you crying? Why are you crying?" "I, I..." Yun Zhuque shook her head desperately, trying to explain. But he suddenly lowered his head and roughly kissed her lips.

"Damn you. Damn woman!" He kissed her roughly, biting her trembling lips.

"You deserve to die! You deserve to die..."

And he... damn it, he couldn't let her go. He couldn't let go of her tears.

His steps to leave were only a few before he couldn't take another step. Listening to her sobs, his heart ached unbearably. He was clearly angry. Yet he couldn't let her go.

He bit her lip hard, as if to vent his anger. He bit her lip roughly, deliberately hurting her.

"Mmm..." Yun Zhuque clung to him tightly, ignoring the pain in her lips. He was willing to pay attention to her. She was already overjoyed.

"Rilan..." she choked out, taking a moment to timidly ask him, "Are you...aren't you angry anymore?" "Shut up!" he glared at her, but then felt sorry for the tears on her face.

"Why are you crying? Don't cry!" His attitude was rough, but he gently kissed away her tears.

"This. Keep it safe." He put something in her hand. "This is..." Yun Zhuque looked at the jade in her hand in shock. It was the mandarin duck jade pendant she had thrown away. Pieces were being glued back together.

"This...you..." She stared at him blankly. Did he really put the jade back together piece by piece? She had clearly hurt him. Yet he still picked up the pieces. "Glue it back together..." Feng Rilan glared at her fiercely. "This jade.

Try throwing it again!"

"No! I won't!" Yun Zhuque quickly shook her head. "I won't throw it again. I won't..." She smiled. Her tearful eyes looked at him pitifully. "You, you're not angry anymore?" "Angry! I'm so angry!" Feng Rilan said irritably. But seeing her tears, no matter how angry he was

, he couldn't bear to continue.

"Then..." Hearing that he was still angry, she couldn't help but panic. Feng Rilan hugged her tightly. "I'm warning you. If there's a next time, I will never forgive you. Do you understand?" he said sternly.

Yun Zhuque blinked. She understood the tenderness beneath his rudeness. She couldn't help but smile. "I understand. I won't do it again." Clutching the jade in her hand, she looked up at him and gave him a beautiful smile. Her beautiful eyes were filled with love.

"Rilan, I love you."

Feng Rilan kissed her hard. His voice was mumbled in her mouth irritably. "Me too..." He loved her heart. Four years ago, he was already hopelessly infatuated.

Extra Chapter—Past. Present.

Brother, today Xiao Que'er and I went to the market. I bought her a string of her favorite candied hawthorns. She smiled so sweetly… “Ah? Candied hawthorns? Tsk. She really is a little girl.” Looking at the letter his younger brother wrote, the boy shook his head dismissively.

Brother, Xiao Que'er went tomb raiding again. I miss her so much. I'm afraid something might happen to her… “Don't worry! If she was going to die, she would be dead already. Why do you need to worry about her?” The boy sneered. The Yun family's tomb raiding reputation was well-deserved.

Brother, I proposed to Xiao Que'er…

“What?” Upon seeing this, the boy jumped up in shock. “Proposed? Good heavens! Am I seeing things?” He couldn't believe it. He stared intently at the letter, confirming that those two words were real. “No. My brother must have lost his mind. I have to go and persuade him.” No sooner said than done, the boy rushed out, intending to save his delusional younger brother.

However, he found nothing. His younger brother wasn't home. He had no choice but to wait for him in the study. Early spring had arrived. The fragrance of flowers wafted in from the window, refreshing his spirit. He walked to the desk and picked up his brother's book.

"Brother Li!"

A sudden soft call made him turn around. He was immediately stunned. He saw a little girl in purple sitting on the window frame. Petals swayed lightly behind her. She smiled gently, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, making him breathless. In

that instant, he suddenly understood who she was.

She was the girl next door his brother had mentioned. Through their letters, he seemed to have indirectly come to know her, understanding everything between her and his brother. He

was bewitched. When he spoke, he realized he had impersonated his brother.

Heavens! Had he gone mad?

But he couldn't control himself. He spoke to her, greedily watching her every smile and gesture.

She gave him a jade pendant and kissed him. She told him she had accepted his marriage proposal… No! Not his.

It was his brother's proposal.

Then, like the wind, she left after stirring his heart.

He stared blankly at her departing figure, his hand involuntarily clutching his chest, feeling his heart pounding. "Big brother?

When did you arrive?" Suddenly, a surprised voice came from the doorway.

The boy was startled. He turned and saw his younger brother. Instantly, he returned to reality. "I..." He looked at his brother. He knew he should give him the jade pendant. Tell him that the girl next door had accepted his marriage proposal. But for some reason, he secretly kept the jade pendant, unwilling to return it.

"What's wrong?"

"No! Nothing." He guiltily avoided his brother's gaze, telling himself it was just a jade pendant. It didn't matter... Anyway, his brother and she would meet again. Sooner or later, he would find out that she had accepted his proposal. Yes, he would find out sooner or later... She didn't belong to him... Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel sad. Unexpectedly, a few months later, he heard the news of his brother's death. He rushed to the funeral in disbelief. On the way, he thought of her. Was she heartbroken?

But he had no chance to find out, because she was gone. He couldn't help but feel lost. He wanted to find her, but he didn't know what reason to use; and if he saw her, what should he say?

So be it! He buried the loss in his heart.

Years passed. But he still remembered her. He couldn't forget... He never expected his friend Shen Tu Feijing to know the Yun family.

He was both surprised and delighted. He wanted to see her, yet he dared not. He and his brother looked exactly alike. Would

she be sad to see him? Then... he could at least secretly watch her, right?

So, he quietly hid in the shadows, spying on her.

She had changed... He saw her smile at her family. But when they left, and she was alone, the smile vanished instantly, leaving only a deep loneliness.

That version of her broke his heart.

The mischievous, spirited girl was gone. What remained was a girl whose smiles were tinged with melancholy. He could see it. Though she was smiling, he could hear the cries in her heart. She

was crying. She was so lonely.

He felt so sorry for her. He couldn't let her go like this. He longed to be close to her. He longed to possess her... Therefore, he deliberately appeared before her and offered to be her substitute. He didn't care about being a substitute for his brother, as long as he could be by her side. He didn't care... he loved her. So much love... Four years ago, the moment she sat on the window sill and smiled at him, his heart was captivated. He was utterly helpless.

"Ridō. I will take care of her." Standing before his brother's grave, he solemnly promised. "I won't let her be lonely. I will stay by her side for the rest of my life." With her, by her side, loving her. For a lifetime...

"Rilan..."

Hearing her call, he turned and reached out his hand. She smiled and walked towards him, placing her soft hand in his. He held it tightly.

He would hold those hands for a lifetime. Her smile. He would protect it for a lifetime.

The End

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